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Man's best friend

Anonymous

Mar 3, 2013

The unfortunate incident in which a Sandusky police officer shot an killed a dog in a Sandusky neighborhood last month has certainly stirred many among us.

At last count, there were more than 1,500 comments from readers at sanduskyregister.com on various stories about the incident posted at the newspaper's website. That comment count dwarfs the number of comments left by readers below stories about the March 2, 2012, killing of 19-year-old Jacob Limberios. The fact that a video of the dog killing was available probably has a lot to do with the enormous response from readers.

It seems readily apparent there might have been a better way to respond to the loose dog complaint. It's a good thing when readers express their opinions on any matter, regardless of how uncomfortable that might make city officials, or anyone else. It also seems the Sandusky Police Department is attempting to address the concerns by being pro-active in reviewing what happened and developing better response protocols for loose dog complaints.

But when it comes to the killing of Jacob Limberios, it seems Sandusky County officials, and special prosecutor Dean Henry, only know one way to investigate: Stonewall.

The Limberios family contracted to have an autopsy done after county officials refused to conduct their own. Dr. Cyril Wecht, a forensic pathologist, concluded there was no way Limberios was holding the gun that killed him. In a phone interview with Henry and Sandusky County sheriff Kyle Overmyer during a "Between the Lines" program Feb.7, we asked Henry about Wecht's autopsy. (Click here to watch the program. The interviews with Overmyer and Henry begin at about the 20-minute mark in the program.)

Question: Have you reviewed Dr. Wecht's autopsy?Henry: I have.Question: Did you have any thoughts on the autopsy report?Henry: I have lots of thoughts on his autopsy report.Question: Could you share any of those with us?Henry: Do you have a specific question?Question: Could you share any of your thoughts with us on the autopsy report?Henry: No.

A year and a day after he was killed, Henry does not appear anywhere close to wrapping up the probe and filing a report. The Limberios family has been asking for 12 months, "Who killed our son?" The best answer from Henry, so far, has been, "We may never know exactly what happened."

But Sandusky County sheriff's investigators seemed to know within two hours after Jacob was killed. They appear to have wrapped up that initial investigation before midnight on March 2, 2012, determining that Jacob committed suicide but it might have been accidental. There was no need for the coroner at the crime scene, and there was no need to preserve evidence, apparently, because the investigators decided an autopsy was not necessary and it was OK, apparently, to throw away clothing and blood-spattered shoes worn by witnesses to the killing.

Family pets are beloved. They're dependable. It's understandable why the killing of "Lucy" the dog has stirred so much emotion in the community.

It's more difficult, however, to understand why the killing of Jacob Limberios has not stirred a similar level of concern.

*

Matt Westerhold is managing editor of the Register. Westerhold writes a weekly column in the Sunday Register and he is a member of the media company's editorial board. He often also writes about his personal views in this opinion blog.

Comments

thinkagain

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 6:53am

Moderators have removed this comment because it contained Off-topic comments.

thinkagain

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 7:50am

Off topic? But yet the SR can use the stirred emotions from Lucy’s death to lure readers to an unrelated article? How hypocritical.

crazyaide

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 7:26am

Keep stirring the pot so you can sell those newspapers!!!

Kottage Kat

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 7:28am

JUSTICE 4 JAKE

Speakezy

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 7:34am

Matt why not print the photo of the dog next to the logo on the rag? Screen it real light to make a watermark and it could be your new mascot for the next few months! Better yet you could freeze dry the body and put it by the front door as the register guardian!!!

Father of 1

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 7:39am

I agree. Justice for JAKE! A human who lost his life. R.I.P Jake. Prayers to all his family and friends.

crazyaide

Tue, 03/05/2013 - 9:04am

agreed

Contango

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 7:51am

As a long time runner who has been chased and threatened by unleashed and uncontrolled dogs on numerous occasions, I say: Nice shot Officer Wilson.

Ithink

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 9:24am

Run on a treadmill in your house if dogs have been chasing you on numerous occasions. If it had been a child chasing you, would you say the same thing? Idiot!

Contango

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 11:28am

In what neighborhood do you live where you have growling, snapping and threatening minors?

Ithink

Mon, 03/04/2013 - 6:44am

Well isn't that all of Sandusky?

miktoxic

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 4:47pm

what a maroon. is like everybody in sandusky scared of dogs?

join the military. they'll grow you some balls and they run every morning at 5 am. this way you and the rest of the little girls can learn how to punch a dog in the nose instead of shooting it.

uturnlouie

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 7:58am

there was soooo many other things that could have been done before he shot that dog, THEN LEFT IT SUFFERING while we all watched it. What is a PA system on a crusier for, what about the sirene to get the owner to come out, officer knew who the owner was, they had been there before. Does the dog warden have a tranq. gun, if not that should be done asap. Crusiers should have tranq. guns also for this very reason. I understand that problems with vicious dogs, but this dog was running away from his killer, NOT running to the vidieo is clear on that Chief Lang ison right track, training is a must. This should never happen again.

uturnlouie

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 8:01am

Lets start with the people that were in that house at the time of his death.

Mime Bloggling

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 8:08am

As tragic as the Limberios killing is it's a bit unfair to compare comments left with the killing of the dog story. You are essentially saying to the people of Sandusky and your Register readers "you're idiots for placing importance on a dog rather than a human being". Well of course, but as you said the dog story came replete with video which stirs the emotions and the dog story happened in our own back yard. I have to wonder how many comments were registered for the Officer Dunn murder? That comparison might have been a little bit more fair. I would wager to say had the killing of the young man been in our area where he was well-known it might have evoked the same response but papers must be sold. I wish these same newspaper folk had the same pathos and indignation when it comes to the killing of the unborn. Last report over 55 million dead.

Matt Westerhold

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 8:15am

Thanks for the comment, Mime Blogging, but that's not what I stated, nor is it what I meant.

thinkagain

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 1:35pm

Careful Mime.

Selflessly advocating for support of the unborn, while thousands are killed daily. – Not OK.

Shamelessly capitalizing on the killing of a single dog to garner readership and hit counts - OK

Moderators should remove this comment because it exposes media manipulation techniques.

starryeyes83

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 8:10am

" comments are dwarfed ".... meaning what? Is there more revenue according to the number of comments posted?

Contango

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 8:12am

@ Mr. Westerhold:

When (not if), in the future a child is mauled by a vicious dog, will you pursue that incident with a similar vehemence as you have this shooting story?

Matt Westerhold

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 8:16am

Yes.

Contango

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 8:24am

@ Mr. Westerhold:

So we should expect webcasts, online and print interviews, videos etc.? Good to read.

Bluto

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 8:55am

Nothing like beating a dead dog , umm ,I mean horse . ; ))))

BULLISDEEP

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 2:52pm

Would they put it on their YOUTUBE site that they haven't touched in over a year ?
To bad other news stations took that video and cut it down to 1.4 mins
not getting the truth out .

How many articles, videos did the Register do on the dog story, and why?
The why because it goes to their anti SPD bias. Now they wonder why there was so many comments, sort of like the pyromaniac asking why there was a fire.

Julie R.

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 8:59am

I have to agree. Not to take away from the unjustifiable cruel shooting of a dog, but where's the outrage over the stonewalling of the killing of Jake Limberios? That stonewalling is also cruel --- MORE than cruel.

Edwin Ison

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 9:13am

Ok, here is a question Matt.

If Sandusky residents must buy a county dog tag yearly, and subsidize the dog wardens department through taxes, why do the Sandusky police routinely answer loose/nuisance dog calls without assistance from the county dog warden?

If in fact the city officers are untrained in how to handle such calls, the blame should be remanded to the top....the chief is at fault here for a faulty policy. Why doesn't the city tag dogs themselves, collect the money and hire back a trained, qualified dog control officer so as to eliminate senseless killings of animals?

Bluto

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 9:22am

Why would you ask Matt that ? That question should be raised at an Erie county or city of Sandusky commission meeting .

Edwin Ison

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 10:02am

Yeah, politicians are so forthcoming with information when asked by Joe Average :)

Bluto

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 10:46am

Where do you think he will get his info from ? Guess it's a no win situation . ; )

Swamp Fox

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 9:25am

I do agree there is no comparison between the two terrible incidents. That being said the dog story did occur in Sandusky, Erie County the other incident occurred in Sandusky County clearly not the local interest. The Registers interest in the Sandusky County incident, increase circulation in that area which any media outlet might do. I also think there might be another reason that many in the local community have figured out.

Matt Westerhold

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 9:59am

The Limberios family lives in Castalia. Sandusky County, also, is local. Clearly, this is of local interest.

DickChaney

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 11:56am

As interested as the Willard tin foil! Some of your best work!!

Ithink

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 9:29am

Jake's story came out as a suicide at first because that is what the idiots in Sandusky County ruled it as. It did not gain any recognition until months later when Mike and Shannon (his parents) began demanding further investigation into the matter. And thank God they did- because look what we found!!!

BEHAPPY

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 9:53am

Someone has to speak for the animals~after all they cannot speak for themselves. There is way too much abuse and killing of animals these days. Not comparing human death/animal death, there is no comparing. People are atleast now (about time) speaking up for the helpless.

Bluto

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 10:48am

Why aren't you down at Routh packing protesting then , or protesting hunting ? Where is all the outrage for those animals ? Out of sight , out of mind , eh . Fair weather ideologists are funny .

The Hamburglar

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 11:05am

So true. We aren't laughing with them, we're laughing at them.

BEHAPPY

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 11:56am

Laugh, No one cares, especially me ; ) I don't want to play with you today :)
Going to take me dog outside~much more sensible ;)

Rod Farva

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 1:27pm

If a loose dog comes after you dont call the police, remember you dont like them

BEHAPPY

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 11:54am

Um, People fight for them also. There's only so much you can do. But people are starting to listen

Centauri

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 11:12am

How come nobody protests the shooting deaths of raccoons? Raccoons are highly intelligent animals. They are not afraid of humans by their nature.

How come nobody is protesting the deaths of humans covered up as suicides by the powers that be?

How about the police shooting of death of James David, of Bellevue, Ohio who was shot on his own front porch?

The police shooting death of Bryan Jones of Fremont, Ohio has many questions unanswered. Shoot a sleeping man to death in his own house is acceptable?

BEHAPPY

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 11:57am

Maybe taking guns is a good idea then?

The Hamburglar

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 1:49pm

It's sickening that some people can actually BE HAPPY caring more about animals than humans.

BEHAPPY

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 7:31pm

When did I say that HAMBURGIE? I missed it. Not ALL humans anyway. HUMANS are The ones that are VICIOUS. Living proof right here in the blogs. ; )

Ithink

Mon, 03/04/2013 - 6:49am

Have you MET some people these days?!

BEHAPPY

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 12:03pm

Just for the record, "the helpless" includes all animals. Raccoons included

Centauri

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 11:24am

qpbQuestion: Did you have any thoughts on the autopsy report?
Henry: I have lots of thoughts on his autopsy report.
Question: Could you share any of those with us?
Henry: Do you have a specific question?
Question: Could you share any of your thoughts with us on the autopsy report?
Henry: No.

Clearly Henry dodged the questions when he stated "I have lots of thoughts on his autopsy report" by refusing to answer the last question. Fremont, Ohio's newspaper is a tool of the powers that be. I see no problem of the Sandusky Register investigating the stalling tactics of the Sandusky County, Ohio officials. If the Sandusky Register wants to uncover the truth that other newspapers refuse to, so be it. It is one way for a newspaper to expand into other areas. The Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Toledo Blade sell newspapers far beyond their boundaries.

Erie County, Ohio has many skeletons in their closets. A few murders were ruled as so called suicides and no proper investigations were done by the powers that be to show that the murders took place. Simply rule a death a suicide and people soon forget. I still would like to know how police informant Robert Chapman's death in 2010 in Sandusky, Ohio was ruled a suicide as was the death of Darlene Matthes in 1997 or 1998 which happened in Perkins Township, Erie County, Ohio. Evidence left at the scenes would point to murders but the powers that be ignored the evidence.

If the Sandusky Register wants to sell more newspapers, then do some investigating reporting because the powers that be protect the powers that be. Since the powers that be cover up the truth and spread lies, it is up to newspapers to expose the truth and also to expose the powers that be and their lies and stalling tactics. It took a newspaper reporter in Kentucky to expose a corrupt sheriff, something that the FBI and Kentucky state investigators failed to do.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-1856...
"When two small-town newspaper reporters in Kentucky began investigating the corrupt local sheriff, they not only got headline stories. They also got death threats."

"Todd Tremaine, a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, says the FBI and State Police tried building a case against Sheriff Hodge, but couldn't penetrate his inner circle of drug dealers, crooked politicians and police officers."

Crooked politicians and crooked police protecting a crooked sheriff. Add to that some crooked FBI agents and US Marshals. Imagine that.

Keep up the heat on the powers that be, Matt Westerhold.

What happened to attorney Buff, the spokesperson of the powers that be?

Patroit1776

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 11:03am

Still wonder why so many articles on the dog story compared to the other story.

deertracker

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 11:11am

The comments left about the Limberios case were rude and insensitive as they were about LUCY. Some put a whole new meaning to "freedom of speech" and "jerk".

BEHAPPY

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 11:59am

Nice comment DEERTRACKER ; )

Rod Farva

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 1:28pm

We dont need any name calling here please

The Hamburglar

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 1:51pm

Thank you Mr Farva for being the voice of reason. Keep up the good work!

Rod Farva

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 3:00pm

I do what i can, some people are just rude

Eda M. Handly

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 11:47am

I believe you are correct Matt, people responded to the dog more so because there is a video showing everything that happened. Can't argue with visual proof. I would add that most people don't like to shake the "powers that be" tree. Most of us like to believe that our system is infallible. I mean, it's fathomable to most to see how one officer can have a lapse of judgment in a situation that would require him to make "speedy judgement call" (if that's how you want to put it) but a number of upstanding county officials make a number radical mistakes in a grave case where there are procedures to be followed, I's to be dotted and T's to be crossed? Nah... No proof here, just a slew of unanswered questions. And who are we all to question?

deertracker

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 2:13pm

That's because alot of commenters on here are pro police and believe their elected officials can do no harm. I tried to refrain from commenting on the Limberios case because there were just not enough facts presented and lots were contrtadictory. I hope the family gets the truth.

Eda M. Handly

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 3:54pm

I hope so too...

Common sense is...

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 2:10pm

An article called "Man's Best Friend" that is just a retelling of another case is, in its very nature, "Off-topic", so I wonder what comments were pulled for the same offense. These "articles" are generally written as blogs, and I wonder if that is to prevent potential lawsuits from the people he pretty much accuses of being acessories to murder. Also intriguing is the continued reluctance of any other worthy news sources to cover the story. Apparently, they don't see the same thing Mr. Westerhold does. Perhaps he hopes to be another Woodward or Bernstein and this is his Watergate. Either way, this "article" has nothing to do with its title.

PaulYall

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 2:57pm

Right on point! It's only a Lure tactic to keep the controversy going!

luvblues2

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 3:09pm

The video made it very much more dramatic for the dog. Not to mention, the SR hadn't put posts up as well as numerous others about the dog? You have nothing to tell us about Jacob's case, why should we talk? We can scream to the high heavens, but if the gov't isn't willing to give information, what are we to do? Pitchforks, Knives and Tar and Feather until we get what we want? I don't believe that the SR can compare apples to oranges. How about YOU, THE SR, give the readers addresses to send emails to so we can have some sense of cohesion in Jacob's death ? You seem to enjoy drama. I do as well. Report addresses and get the ball rolling.

Really, who can expect this one man to do all THREE jobs as explained by the SR?! Way the frip out there even for the normal person who watches TV shows.

"Special prosecutor Dean Henry, a Sandusky County attorney appointed to investigate the investigation and also defend Sandusky County sheriff Kyle Overmyer, County prosecutor Thomas Stierwalt and the three witness to Jacob's death in a lawsuit filed by his family has not given any indication when he will wrap up the investigation."

Who in the USA can prosecute, investigate and defend everyone involved? May as well let him be the judge and jury as well.

luvblues2

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 4:38pm

The third witness has never been mentioned by name. Wonder why?

It is also said that the third witness refused a polygraph. Who is HE?

luvblues2

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 4:43pm

There is someone high up enough in the political spectrum to be able to try and shut this investigation down. Plain and simple.

Thank you for posting the YouTube link on the killing of the dog. I can now make a decision. The cop was in the wrong the dog didnt do anything aggressive he was just barking. So it was just another gun happy cop that didnt know how to handle this. I feel bad if anyone else has a dog that barks like that to protect its property

Commenter

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 7:20pm

Would more comments help? I don't know. Obviously people feel all sorts of compassion over the dog situation and there are people for and against it, I don't think too many people can be against the situation with the Limberios death, it's clear there were mistakes made. No controversy to that. The controversy lies in Sandusky County and the good ole boys network that seems to be protecting each other. All of the information has been put out there but it's getting nowhere. An independent source needs to investigate this. Not the family, not the media and not another person from the county, it was wrong starting from the very day of the shooting and the Coroner not viewing the body or sending it for an autopsy. I think Mr. Westerhold that there are not a lot of comments because you don't have 2 opposing views like you do with the dog. It's clear that Sandusky County messed up. I realize comments and hits to your website probably equals dollar signs and papers and advertising sold, but don't stop reporting about it because it doesn't get comments. Keep it coming. Let people read the facts. Let people read the responses or lack of response from the county.

BEHAPPY

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 7:35pm

I'm with TITANFAN and COMMENTER.

Woody Hayes

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 7:43pm

No agenda?

vicariouslyAlive

Mon, 03/04/2013 - 4:25am

i see it like this.. people are easy to comment on an idiot cop plying with his gun thus proving his ignorance than they are to comment about idiot kids playing with guns... something about chastising a dead person gets people all uneasy... should the cop have called someone better suited for the situation? absolutely. should the kid have not put himself in a situation where his death was caused by disrespecting the powers of a loaded gun in a room full of morally questionable people? absolutely... but it's just so much easier to talk about the dog than to say a person made some questionable judgement calls that resulted in an untimely death. the number of comments doesn't have anything to do with who cares more about what, but instead of what's easier to talk about.

i do realize that my comments will take some heat, but that just goes to show my point. no one wants to be outed for speaking for the other side of the story when it comes to a human death... no one wants to be "that guy" when it comes to defending the stances on suicide or murder... especially when it's a local issue.

luvblues2

Mon, 03/04/2013 - 9:06am

Amen, vA.

Commenter

Mon, 03/04/2013 - 7:34pm

I actually agree with you.

freedom12

Mon, 03/04/2013 - 4:48pm

Mr. Westerhold could care less for this family. It is sad that he is taking advantage of a grieving family to promote his hatred for law enforcement. It seems like Mr. Westerhold is always attacking our hard working law enforcement and smearing their reputation. He has made a vicious and dangerous dog a victim and the hard working police officer fighting to keep us safe the bad guy. His arrogance and hatred is terrible. I respect law enforcement and will defend them!

Advocate For Animals

Mon, 03/04/2013 - 7:21pm

I think quite a few in law enforcement have done a fine job themselves in smearing their reputation. They've created their own big black eyes.

The dog WAS a victim of a cruel and inhumane thoughtless cop who lacked common sense and the proper training in dealing with a large breed dog.

BEHAPPY

Mon, 03/04/2013 - 7:49pm

Exactly

vicariouslyAlive

Mon, 03/04/2013 - 11:40pm

so then maybe it's not the columnist having a vendetta against the local law enforcement agencies... maybe, just maybe, it's prudent and justifiable news coverage of what the people in the local police departments are doing. after all, if the city and county employees weren't doing anything wrong, there'd be nothing to report on... so where people who blithely and blindly follow the letters of the laws and those that enforce it see it as biased news coverage... it just might be the fact that the people of the paper of just covering what happened to the dismay of those involved. sucks to be them i guess.

PutKidsFirst

Tue, 03/05/2013 - 1:56pm

I find it pretty pathetic that the majority of the comments on this article somehow ended up being about the dog that was shot in Sandusky, and that there are people debating about that story under this article - an article about a man who lost his life and left behind a family. I am definitely an animal lover, but this is a little ridiculous. You all are proving Matt's point that it seems as though killing an animal is getting more attention than killing a human being - someone who had a small child and a ton of family and friends that really care about him. This article's comments just go to show why this case is stuck where it is... I pray for the Limberios family that this case gets the attention that it deserves, and soon. A year later is too long to wait for answers. Thanks again to the Sandusky Register for covering this case and keeping in the spotlight. I'm sure someone that is related to one of these "officials" from Sand. Co. is on the paper in their area, which is why there probably hasn't been any coverage in the papers there.

freedom12

Tue, 03/05/2013 - 2:09pm

Our Law enforcment officials work tirelessly to protect our lives. They are goood people who care for our society and fight criminals. I am tired of Mr. Westerhhold attacking these individuals and defending criminals.

JHudson320

Tue, 03/05/2013 - 6:03pm

Are you KIDDING me? Have you not read anything about this case? The law enforcement officials are the CRIMINALS in this case!! They have protected no one but themselves and hurt an innocent family. I have nothing but respect for the officials that do their jobs, and that is the majority of them, but Matt Westerhold is not "attacking" anyone - he's stating the facts. The facts being that these officials did not do their jobs and were too lazy to do a real investigation. Who were they caring for? THEMSELVES. If you need more proof:

Read some of that, and tell me who the criminals really are. It's definitely not Jake, and it's definitely not his family.

miktoxic

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 4:59pm

just don't get shot 10 minutes before the donut shop closes or last call of happy hour......

just kiddin. lol.

Peaceful Street...

Tue, 03/05/2013 - 5:38pm

I think Matt's point is, it's all relative. No good can come from an institution of violence that abuses a monopoly of force and coercion to maintain peace.
More innocent people are assaulted by law enforcers on a daily basis than all of the non-costumed gangs combined.
No more will the thin blue line trump Justice and Freedom.
"For the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor."

nosey rosey

Wed, 03/06/2013 - 3:30pm

I'm more concerned about what was done to an innocent animal than I am when immature "adults" play with guns and someone dies.

mamaC

Wed, 03/06/2013 - 6:43pm

You no what was done to that innocent animal... The parents have no facts or answers to what happened to their son (HUMAN)! That is a huge difference!Duh! And you can't say immature adults playing with the gun. If you read the 97 pages it clearly states Jake warned those other "adults" it might be loaded... So make sure you READ the court papers before posting your ignorant replies please! Fact remains a human died and no answers and dog dies (with video) showing what happened!

vicariouslyAlive

Thu, 03/07/2013 - 2:25am

the facts remain that even though they were warned that the gun could be loaded, they still disrespected the gun. so, whether or not the death was a suicide, or an accidental discharge, there really aren't any comfortable points to be made about a person losing their life.

i mean really... lets take the opposing side to this argument. everyone was warned that it might be loaded right? why not remove the gun from the situation? why was it still being messed with at that point? why didn't the boy leave? why not remove yourself from the situation if you see people immaturely acting irresponsibly with a possibly loaded weapon? put it along the same lines of a complicity to a crime if someone is just along for the ride in a robbery. they didnt steal anything. they didnt drive the get away vehicle. they were just in proximity. makes them guilty of the crime by association right? they had every chance to remove themselves from the situation, and yet, didnt.

point 1. saying those things was pretty rough, even having not known the person killed... which means im not likely to make any more comments on that situation. im sure plenty of people feel the same way, which would be why the comment numbers on those threads are down.

point 2. having said those things i've probably angered a few people, and like i said above, even though some people could be thinking along the same lines as what i posted above, no one wants to be "that guy" that has to come out and say it. which means comments on those types of threads would be low.

point 3. lack of comments doesnt always mean lack of interest. like i said before it's easy to take either side of the arguments on the killed dog... it's easy to talk about. people dont like cops, people do like cops. people dont like dogs, people do like dogs... pretty easy lines to argue about. but when it comes to the death of a young person that seems to not have done anything wrong his entire life other than be in the wrong place in the wrong time... it's hard to find any opposing sides to that... even if we are talking about the botch job of the officials handling the case, it's just a bit too touchy for people to find opposing sides to argue about, and it's those arguments that generate banter, thus raising the comment count...

so for all of you sheeple that think the coment count translates directly into the interest of the column, shame on you for being that naive. and for those of you attacking the people that report the news instead of asking why that kind of news is even being reported in the first place... dont kill the messenger man. if cops stopped screwing up, mat wouldn't have anything negative to report about. but since the local PD cant seem to help themselves in that department, please, keep reporting.

mamaC

Thu, 03/07/2013 - 8:56am

How do you know he (Jake) disrespected the gun? How do you know he wasn't leaving when he was shot? My point is this. We know what happened to the dog there is video of that. 3 witnesses (teenagers) have changed their story of that night and Sandusky County closing a killing without doing a proper investigation and his Parents have no facts to what happened to their son. Where the poor dog owner has answers to what happened to the animal she loved. These parents have every right to no what happened to their son and have their questions answered.

vicariouslyAlive

Thu, 03/07/2013 - 12:16pm

MamaC, learn to swim, because the point went way over your head.

it's not about who has more information on which topic, it's not about what we know. people are upset about the amount of interest shown between the two stories, how can so many people comment about the shooting of the dog and not on the botched investigation, and it's not always the amount of comments that reflects the amount of interest.

those points about Jake were a bit rhetorical... i didnt really want an answer or an argument about them... they were to show how bad of a person you'd look like if you were to be the one to fight the opposing argument in that situation.

again, you completely missed the point and chose to only look at certain parts of the post. im not going to argue about a dead kid. just not going to do it, and im sure the people that cruise this website feel the same way, which would explain the lack of comments involving those articles.

KURTje

Thu, 03/07/2013 - 8:14pm

So glad we were able to destroy any dog that bothered our livestock on our land. So glad our dogs (that stayed on our farm) hurt trash that were trying to steal. In America each need to be responsible. Sadly people are not.

miktoxic

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 5:07pm

@kURTje

you sir, are the epitome (look it up cuz i know u don't know what it means) of white trash.

when you interject the word 'glad' in a comment about destroying dogs and hurting people=sociopathic behavior.

how many bodies do you have buried in the crawl space of your house mr. bundy?

bmgasser

Thu, 03/07/2013 - 10:40pm

I want to clear up some of the events of the night Jacob was killed to possibly make people more comfortable talking about, especially if you take the position that vicariouslyAlive has suggested. Jacob received the handgun as a gift at the age of 19, which I believe is legal but I may be wrong. Jacob took pride in gun safety and knowledge and was also interested in antiques and collecting as stated in an article posted today on wkyc.com. Jacob took the gun to the home to make a potential legal sale to one of the witnesses who was over 21 and a former member of the U.S. Navy. After they all took practice shots outside in a field Jacob reentered the home and completely emptied the revolver, including the live round. At this point he was making phone calls to myself and another friend. If you feel he was being irresponsible by letting the other witnesses look at the gun again after reentering the home remember why he was there and why he brought the firearm. It is likely that he thought only the over 21 year old, former Navy member, who was interesting in purchasing the gun was the only one handling it again, and he was probably on the phone with myself or our other friend when the gun was passed around to other witnesses and reloaded. He was also planning to leave the home when he was on the phone with myself. Just thought that might change some of the thinking for people who were reluctant to comment.

vicariouslyAlive

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 12:55am

knowing the facts really doesn't help bmg... it's still a taboo topic... what questions can i ask as arguing points to not make it sound like the kid deserved to die? because in this argument, that's what the opposing side is basically doing... they'd basically be saying that he brought it upon himself... now what demented and twisted person would want to take that stance on this issue? there really is no way to go about it bud... not without sounding like Satan's left hand...

any kind of peculation to the event has to put the blame on some one... and in a situation where careless seems to have been abundant, some of the blame goes on the victim as well... it's sick to say, but true... i do own a gun. a few of them in fact, and the last thing i'd do is turn my back on a stranger with a weapon... loaded or not... and even just me saying that implies that Jake holds some sort of fault in the situation... which is why most people wont comment on it...